Scuba Diving in Cuba
Cuba’s warm waters are clear and pristine and without much coral destruction or pollution.
Travel with us to the calm, turquoise and blue waters of Cuba’s Bay of Pigs. The average visibility in the water is 98-131 feet (30-40m), which it makes it possible to spot underwater life easily. Access a spectacular drop-off straight from the shore that houses all kinds of tropical fish, and over 17 species of coral plants.
You do NOT have to be certified to join us on this trip and you do NOT need prior experience with scuba diving. If needed, we will provide you with an introductory course that goes over the basic safety guidelines and you’ll practice techniques in shallow water to prepare you for an adventure. Both novice and experienced divers are welcome. For novice divers, there are beautiful shallow reef dives and for more experienced divers, explore caves, caverns, and tunnels.
Please note that dives are shore-dives as a boat is not needed to access these dives. The only boats for tourists in Cuba are liveaboards that are docked at the shore and function more like a floating hotel.
Inclusions
Cuban visa
Medical insurance for the duration of the trip
Meals as noted
Trip leader and 24/7 concierge service for the duration of the group trip
Private transportation to and from the airport
Dives and activities as noted on the itinerary
Underwater photography and videography of all dives
Flash drive with all images and video
6 dives (including a cenote dive, sunken ship, and evening dive)
6 nights of accommodation at boutique hotels
Meals (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners)
Private, round trip transfer to Bay of Pigs
Diving equipment (wetsuit, jacket, mask, fins regulator, and compressed air tank
Private transportation to all dive sites and activities ad noted on the itinerary
All dives led by a dive master and marine biologist
Explore Havana by architectural walk and classic American convertible car tour
Dates
TBD
Pricing
$2495 per person
$500 deposit will hold your spot and will be deducted from the trip cost
Length
6 nights/7 days
Group Size
10 Travelers Maximum
FAQ: Click here for photos of our accommodation.
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The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Havana + transfer to Bay of Pigs
Arrive at the airport in Havana and transfer to our beach-front accommodation at the Bay of Pigs. The trip is about a 90 minute drive from the airport and we’ll travel in a private, air conditioned mini bus.
Welcome dinner + meet other travelers
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Bay of Pigs (2 dives, including a sunken ship)
We’ll suit up right on the shoreline, swim out a few meters and experience an amazing rock wall on the first dive today. This area is filled with fish, coral, eels, and so many fascinating sea creatures.
On your second dive, swim down to an old sunken ship that has various amounts of sea life growing throughout it.
Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner
Day 3: Bay of Pigs (2 dives, including an evening dive)
Start today at the Cueva de los Peces, about halfway between Playa Larga and Playa Giron. Reach coral heads at about five meters below the surface. Slowly descend to 12 meters to reach the precipice of the wall that runs beyond Playa Largo and Playa Giron. Look over the edge and you’ll see that the water is still clear.
After-lunch optional activities: Relax on the beach, Visit the Bay of Pigs invasion museum (the beaches where we are staying were the main landing sites for a failed 1961 invasion aimed to depose Fidel Castro), visit the Cienaga de Zapata national park home to manatees, crocodiles and over 1,000 species of plant, bird, mammals, and reptiles, visit Cueva de los Peces (an inland cave filled with fresh water)
Enjoy an evening dive today followed by dinner
Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner
Day 4: Bay of Pigs (Cenote dive)
Today we’ll dive in a limestone sinkhole. At the entrance it is 20-25 meters deep. Observe the interesting rock formations of the cave wall, the shrimps deep in the water and the colorful fish on the surface.
After lunch, we’ll take an excursion to La Boca de Guama, a breeding center for the endangered, native Cuba crocodile.
Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner
Day 5:
Bay of pigs + transport back to Havana
We’ll head out for a last morning dive after breakfast, then head back to Havana.
Optional evening activities: Cannon Shooting Ceremony, Casa de la Musica for live music and salsa dancing, Tropicana Cabaret,
Havana Jazz Clubs, Parisien Cabaret
We can help arrange transport and tickets to these shows. This can be paid for while in Cuba.
Meals included: breakfast + lunch
Day 6: Explore Havana
Explore Old Havana and enjoy an architectural walking tour led by a young university professor
Tour around the different neighborhoods in Havana by a classic American convertible.
We’ll head to a rooftop for sunset drinks before our last night in Cuba.
Meals included: breakfast + lunch + dinner
Day 7: Return home
Transportation to the airport
No activities scheduled for today
Meals included: breakfast
Additional info
Getting there: Book your round-trip international flight to José Marti International Airport (HAV). Please choose a flight that arrives in the AM or afternoon. We will transfer directly from the airport to our accommodation in the Bay of Pigs. Once you arrive in Havana and get through customs, you will be greeted by a Fisheye Journeys driver.
Included:
6 dives (including one dive cenote dive and an evening dive)
4 nights of accommodation at a boutique hotel in Playa Larga
2 nights of accommodation at a boutique hotel in Havana
Meals (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners)
Group photographer/videographer to capture your journey underwater and overland
Flash drive with all images and video
Round trip transfer to Bay of Pigs
Private transportation to all dive sites and activities as noted on the itinerary
Private transportation to and from the airport
Dives and activities as noted on the itinerary
SCUBA equipment
Cuban visa
Medical insurance for the duration of the trip (7 days)
Trip leader and 24/7 concierge service for the duration of the group trip
2 dive leaders - one a marine biologist
Not included:
Airfare in and out of the country
Mandatory trip insurance
Souvenirs and other incidental expenses (just ask if you’re not sure)
Alcohol, except where noted
Accommodations: We will be staying in boutique hotels, which are Cuban family homes that function as small hotels. Cuban homes are so charming and vibrant, you're gonna love 'em!
This trip will include 4 shared rooms with 2 twin beds and 2 bedrooms with one double-size bed. The double-size bed rooms will be available as a single supplement on a first come, first served basis.
If you sign up with someone else, you will be paired up with that person. Otherwise, you will be assigned a roomie. We will put you and your roomie in contact before the trip!
U.S. Citizens Traveling to Cuba: Yes, travel to Cuba is legal and safe! This trip is permitted through the "people-to-people general license category" authorized by the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. This itinerary is intended to provide a cultural experience and meaningful interactions with Cubans.
*Health Insurance: Cuban authorities require proof of health insurance upon entering the country. This is included in your trip cost for the duration of the trip (7 days).
What to expect in Cuba: While we try our best to stick to the itinerary, traveling in Cuba requires flexibility and changes to accommodation, transportation, and activities may occur. Cuban infrastructure has not been maintained according to western standards, hot water may be minimal, wifi connection may be slow when available, and the general pacing is slow but vibrant. Bring your sense of adventure and enjoy the moment!
Pricing: The trip cost is $2495 per person. A $500 initial non-refundable deposit per person is required to reserve your spot and is included in this total price. The remaining balance can be split up into two payments with the final payment due no later than 30 days prior to departure. All payments must be made by credit card.
Please read our FAQs page and Booking Terms and Conditions before booking.